Trout Fishing Information
Bennett Springs Trout Fishing Missouriennett Springs is stocked nightly during the regular fishing season with rainbow trout raised locally in their hatchery. The number of fish stocked changes from night to night depending on the number of people fishing the previous day, so put on your waders and cast your line for trout! Catch a big one and you might get your picture added to the daily “lunker board”
The season is March 1 through Oct. 31. Daily permits are required to fish on the spring branch and zones are set aside for different kinds of lures. Permits are available at the park store. For more information, call 417-532-4307
Zone Areas
ZONE 1
Only flies are permitted from the hatchery dam upstream to the end of the area.
ZONE 2
Only flies and artificial lures are permitted from the hatchery dam to the whistle bridge.
ZONE 3
Only soft plastic bait (unscented), natural and scented bait are permitted from the whistle bridge to the Niangua River. All artificial lures and flies are prohibited, even if natural bait or scent has been added.
Zone areas are marked in the park and maps are also available.
Trout Fishing Hours
MARCH
Beginning Time: 6:30 a.m.*/7:30 a.m.**
End Time: 6 p.m.*/7 p.m.**
APRIL
Beginning Time: 7 a.m.
Ending Time: 7:30 p.m.
MAY
Beginning Tme: 6:30 a.m.
Ending Time: 8:15 p.m.
JUNE and JULY
Beginning Time: 6:30 a.m.
Ending Time: 8:30 p.m.
AUGUST
Beginning Time: 7 a.m.
Ending Time: 8 p.m.
SEPTEMBER
Beginning Time: 7:30 a.m.
Ending Time: 7:15 p.m.
OCTOBER
Beginning Time: 7:30 a.m.
Ending Time: 6:30 p.m.
* Central Standard Time
** Central Daylight Time
CATCH-AND-RELEASE SEASON
2nd Friday in November through 2nd Friday in February (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only)
Beginning Time: 8 a.m.
Ending Time: 4 p.m.
For additional information, please call 417-532-4418 or 417-532-7612.
Regulations
Trout fishing is permitted in accordance with the state wildlife code and posted restrictions daily from March 1 through Oct. 31, and during the winter catch-and-release season from the second Friday in November to the second Monday in February on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday only.
Each angler shall display a daily trout tag purchased on the area and bearing his or her signature.
Each angler shall have a state fishing permit except those 15 years and younger or Missouri residents 65 years and older.
Each angler shall keep their trout separate at all times and identified with their name and address.
Daily limit is four, only one of which may be a brown trout equal to or greater than 15″. No length limit on rainbow trout. Possession limit is eight trout.
Only a single pole or rod may be used. Gigging, snaring or snagging is NOT permitted.
No person shall continue to fish for any species in these trout waters after having four trout in possession.
The use of game fish or parts thereof for bait is prohibited; chumming is not permitted.
No trout may be possessed in the catch-and-release area.
